What use is an F-call?

I've just had a browse through the latest Amateur Radio magazine, read a few stories, looked at a couple of photos and it struck me that there are two types of activities that Amateurs get up to.

There's the social activities, where several amateurs, even groups or hordes - hmm is that the word, a horde of amateurs - get together and have a party. They build a station, either on the back of a trailer, a ute, a tent, a mountain, a boat, you name it. They erect, generally more than one, antenna structure, some go over the top and set-up about 15 different antennas - but the passion that underlies all that is held together by the social glue that makes up this hobby.

Generally a station built like that has some or other purpose, be it to activate some long lost atoll, or a special event call-sign, a particular day, or event, to memorialise some past history. Any number of different reasons to get together, build stuff and get on-air.

The other type of activity is much more insular. Sitting at home, surrounded by equipment, soldering iron, computer, circuit diagram, plans, descriptions, maps and the like. It's one where you might sit for hours listening, or calling CQ for a contest, or building a new piece of magic. It's one where you sit alone, with a song in your heart digging through a problem, learning and figuring out how something works, or as the case may be, doesn't work.

This kind of activity is one that nourishes the soul and brings little gems to your door-step, unexpected, un-remarked, and just as wonderful.

As amateurs we often remark on the social aspect of our hobby, but I think it's just as important to acknowledge the singular activity.

If you're in your shack listening to this, building something, or if you've just come out to see if there is still some daylight left, I'd like to encourage you to share your experience with another amateur. They might be on the other end of the radio, or they might be reading an article in Amateur Radio magazine.

Share your personal triumphs as much as your group ones.

I'm Onno VK6FLAB